Apr 12, 2007 11:32 pm US/Mountain
Get Started Now To Become A Convention Delegate
Good Question: How Do I Become A Delegate To The Democratic Convention?
by Alan Gionet
DENVER (CBS4) ―
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Good Question is a regular part of CBS4 News at 10 p.m. It's an opportunity for reporter Alan Gionet to drill past the basic facts of a story and give it some depth and perspective.
It's still over a year away, but if you want to be one of those representing Colorado at the Democratic Convention, you'd better get started. That's the best summary of a viewer request Good Question.
"Sure, that'd be pretty fun," said a woman downtown. "Certainly it starts with neighborhoods, but I can't think of the name of it," she added. "Caucuses," we reminded her.
Colorado Democratic Party Chairwoman Pat Waak spends a lot of time explaining caucuses. "Well I think the first thing is you've got to know where your precinct is," Waak said. "Because you want to get involved in a precinct caucus in your local area." That's as grassroots as it gets. You would first need to win support at the precinct level, and then move up from there. But don't think the Democrats will be picking any strangers to the party. You'd have to be well known as a party volunteer or activist. Next you'd compete for a spot at the county level.
Many delegates will choose to pledge themselves to a candidate. Others might say they're going un-pledged. They will decide at the convention. Waak gives an example of how it might work at the county level; "It's the same process. We're going to delegate out how many people are supporting Hillary Clinton, how many are supporting Barack Obama and out of that choosing people who then will go to the Congressional District Convention, and that is the point at which you get elected."
The voting is likely to come next February. Colorado will have 71 delegates overall. There are some shoe-ins. Gov. Ritter and Lt. Gov. O'Brien get to go if they want. It's the same for other party leaders. Only 36 will be elected at caucuses and the Democratic Party will be looking to balance the ticket racially and between men and women.
Right now there's a chance they could do some real deciding. But again, if you want in as a delegate, you'd better show yourself as a party stalwart now. "For people who worked hard, this is a bene," Waak said..
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